Landmark double-blind ROCKET AF study shows Bayer/J&J's Xarelto is better than warfarin

German drug major Bayer (BAY: DE) yesterday announced the eagerly-awaited results from the pivotal, double-blind Phase III, ROCKET AF trial, which demonstrated that its Xarelto (rivaroxaban), under development with the USA’s Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) was superior to warfarin in reducing the risk of stroke and non-central nervous system systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Importantly, rates of bleeding were similar to warfarin, and bleeding events most concerning to physicians and patients, including intracranial hemorrhage, critical organ bleed, and bleeding-related death, were significantly lower in the rivaroxaban group. The results were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2010 in Chicago, and the news saw Bayer’s shares jump as much as 6.4% to 56.58 euros in afternoon trading yesterday, though closing just 3.9% higher at 56.13 euros.

“Conservative” sales potential of $2.7 billion